The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, has dismissed claims by his predecessor, Samuel Pyne, that he secured funding for the dualization of the Santasi Roundabout to Top Martins road project.
Mr. Boadi described the assertion as unfounded, insisting that there is no record of any funding secured by the former MCE for the project.
He challenged Mr. Pyne to produce evidence of the alleged financing arrangement, including the amount involved and the specific source of funds.
In an interview on Fakye TV’s DayBreak Morning Show with Kojo Marfo, Mr. Boadi rubbished the claim, questioning the authenticity of Mr. Pyne’s statement.
“Sam Pyne said he secured funding for the Santasi Roundabout to Top Martins dualization. I want to ask him, how much money did he get and where did he sign the agreement? Was it at Parliament or the KMA? Where are the funding documents?” he queried.
According to the Kumasi Mayor, former MCE Sam Pyne’s claim lacks clarity and documentation.
He argued that the word ‘secured’ carries a definite meaning and should not be used loosely in matters involving public funds.
“He teaches English, and the word ‘secured’ is definite. I’m not saying he lied, if I want to say that, I will. But I don’t know where that money is or how it was obtained. If he truly secured it, he should let us know so we can retrieve it,” he added.
Mr. Boadi further clarified that the Outer Ring Road project, which links Anloga Junction to Asokwa, has been a long-standing infrastructure plan dating back to the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Successive governments, including those under Presidents John Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo, he said, have all contributed in various ways toward realizing that project.
“The Outer Ring Road project started way before President Akufo-Addo. The original concept was initiated under President Kufuor to create a link from Anloga Junction to Asokwa. It wasn’t completed then, but subsequent governments have made efforts to continue it. So, the concept isn’t an NDC idea, it isn’t mine, and it isn’t Sam Pyne’s either,” Mr. Boadi noted.
He acknowledged that while Mr. Pyne may have played some role in pushing for the project, the actual funding arrangement did not happen under his tenure.
“The effort to look for funding didn’t begin with him. He may have contributed to the process, but he didn’t secure anything,” Mr. Boadi emphasized.
